By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Aholu Menu-Toyi I the Akran of Badagry Kingdom |
BADAGRY, LAGOS — The central planning committee for the final rites of the late Akran of Badagry, Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has officially scrapped its controversial "access card" policy.
The move comes after intense pushback from indigenes who argued that a monarch who reigned for 49 years as a "father to all" should not have his final farewell restricted to a privileged few.
The committee had initially implemented the card system to manage the high-profile crowd expected at Badagry Grammar School on Saturday, May 2, 2026. However, faced with a brewing backlash and the reality that thousands had already purchased the official Aso-Ebi, the organizers have now opened the gates to the entire federation.
While the committee’s latest statement frames the idea of restrictions as a "fallacy," local observers note that the U-turn is a direct result of the people’s demand for transparency and respect for tradition.
"How can there be restrictions when Aso-Ebi is sold to all and sundry?" the committee's statement now reads, reversing its earlier stance. "This event will hold in Badagry Grammar School with a seating capacity of more than 6,000 invitees. BGS is an open space... and the event of Saturday won't be different [from previous open programs."
The late Akran’s legacy was built on communal harmony and accessibility. For many in Badagry, the attempt to introduce access cards felt like an attempt to "privatize" a state funeral that belongs to the heart of the kingdom.
Indigenes complained that the cards were being distributed selectively, leaving out the grassroots supporters who were the backbone of the Akran’s reign.
The community insisted that a "Street Party" atmosphere celebratory, loud, and accessible was more befitting for the monarch than a restricted gala.
With the access card barrier now removed, Badagry is bracing for a massive influx of visitors. The event remains a high-security, "well-choreographed" affair featuring:
Royal DDelegatios from the Republic of Benin and major Yoruba kingdoms (Ife, Oyo, Abeokuta).
A "Once-in-a-Lifetime" Spectacle of Badagry’s rich cultural heritage.
Massive Participation from residents wearing the official funeral fabric, now guaranteed entry to the BGS grounds.
The committee has urged the public to "enjoy the spirit of the moment" and put aside the friction of the past few days. By bowing to the will of the people, the organizers have ensured that the Akran’s transition remains a symbol of unity rather than a source of division.